News Update for 7/23/25

Highlands County 911 dispatchers now have a new tool to help save lives faster — Texty, a text-to-911 service that instantly translates messages from 108 languages into English. Before, dispatchers had to copy and paste foreign-language texts into Google Translate. Now, help can be sent quicker, especially for residents who speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, or other languages common in the community. Texty also shows dispatchers exactly where the text is coming from. Officials say this upgrade makes 911 more accessible and efficient for everyone in Highlands County.

Residents of Highlands County are being targeted by scammers distributing fraudulent warrants. A recent example contains numerous inconsistencies, such as unprofessional formatting and vague references to the “United States District Court” without specifying a jurisdiction—details no legitimate federal court would omit. Please be advised that the FBI does not pursue individuals for missed civil hearings, and no law enforcement agency—local, state, or federal—will ever request payment via Apple Pay, Zelle, or payment kiosks to resolve a warrant. If you receive such a communication, do not respond and report it to authorities immediately.

Central Florida residents should be on high alert for a new phone scam hitting our communities. The Lakeland Police Department reports that recently, scammers have been posing as real LPD Sergeants, claiming there’s a “legal matter” and directing people to call back a fake “Civil Division” — which does not exist. In some cases, they even set up fake meetings to “clear warrants.” Police remind everyone: no real officer will ever demand payment by phone, gift cards, wire transfers, or cash apps. If you get a suspicious call, hang up and verify by calling your local police department.

A construction crew is credited with making an unexpected discovery in Manatee County. A utility crew was recently digging a trench when someone found a fossil of a claw from a Jefferson’s ground sloth. Charlie Hunsicker is director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, and he estimates the fossil is 11-thousand years old. The fossil was brought to the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in Bradenton.